Problem with FCS dvds

Hello all,
I emailed Mr Dionaldo end of July in regards to his curriculum dvds, then I tried emailing Mr Cole then I tried emailing Mr Dionaldo again (mid August) but I heard nothing. So I took the plunge and ordered the dvds via Paypal (15 August).
So I start chasing the order up (3 Sept) and have emailed via the paypal recommended customer service address every day and have heard nothing.
I reside in New Zealand and have ordered material from the Sayoc group and the Atienza group and apart from the normal hassles of missed emails over the holiday period have not had a problem. I have ordered material from Mr Keating and he dealt with the order personally and I was bowled over with his service.
My question is has anyone else had problems ordering from the FCS group? They appear to be legitimate, but this epsiode is one of the worst I have had in regards to knowing what is happening with an order. If anyone who has encountered this type of problem with FCS can let me know what happened and the outcome (favourable or otherwise) would be much appreciated.
thanks

Hello all,
I emailed Mr Dionaldo end of July in regards to his curriculum dvds, then I tried emailing Mr Cole then I tried emailing Mr Dionaldo again (mid August) but I heard nothing. So I took the plunge and ordered the dvds via Paypal (15 August).
So I start chasing the order up (3 Sept) and have emailed via the paypal recommended customer service address every day and have heard nothing.
I reside in New Zealand and have ordered material from the Sayoc group and the Atienza group and apart from the normal hassles of missed emails over the holiday period have not had a problem. I have ordered material from Mr Keating and he dealt with the order personally and I was bowled over with his service.
My question is has anyone else had problems ordering from the FCS group? They appear to be legitimate, but this epsiode is one of the worst I have had in regards to knowing what is happening with an order. If anyone who has encountered this type of problem with FCS can let me know what happened and the outcome (favourable or otherwise) would be much appreciated.
thanks

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I would recommend Emailing Ray Cole again, Ray Cole was in Thailand for his annual visit to his camp for the whole month of August. Tuhon Ray Dionaldo does not deal with any of the DVD sales, which rests solely on Ray Cole. I believe Ray Cole just returned this weekend and I'm confident he'll be sending you the DVDs soon. If not, message me before Friday evening because I'll be seeing both of them at the Gathering and speak to them about it personally. I'm sure there has just been a misunderstanding and I can assure you the DVDs are well worth your while.

Hello all,
thanks to those who PM'd and Baddmojo, its been a month since order placed and still haven't heard anything. Writing this one off to bad timing/karma/not mean't to be as I've heard only good things about the FCS group. Am awaiting Budovideos.com to get the Felix Valencia knife fighting boxset back in before cancelling the FCS order and using the money to purchase Guro Valencia's dvd set. Can't wait, heard that Guro Valencia's material is top notch.
Regards

Hello all,
raised a dispute with paypal on 17 Sept, still no response from FCS. Dispute elevated to claim 22 Sept, no response so far. Have since found out that even if claim is found in my favour does not guarantee a refund of my money.
As paypal advises:"If the claim is decided in my favor, will I get all of my money back?
If a claim is decided in your favor, PayPal will make every effort to recover funds from the seller. The amount of money you are eligible to receive depends on a number of factors, including where you made your purchase and whether your seller is eligible to offer PayPal Buyer Protection. If your seller offers PayPal Buyer Protection, you are eligible to receive up to $1,000.00 USD coverage."

Caveat emptor.

However on a good note, ordered the Felix Valencia stuff on 25 Sept 2007, fedex has just rung to advise parcel has cleared customs and is scheduled to be dropped off between 1pm and 5pm this afternoon. Am certainly impressed with Budovideos.com.

I hate to say it, but I also had a problem with the FCS training DVD's. The idea behind the training DVD's is that you can learn the FCS curriculum long distance up to Level 5, which is ALOT of material. On the FCS website, you see what information you need to demo, and can send in a video to Tuhon Ray to "test". Well, I got the video and learned the material and when it came time to send in the "test" I had a few questions. I sent two emails to Tuhon Ray without a reply yet. I'm still waiting, in fact. Kind of a bummer, because I'm a big fan of Ray's and the curriculum is pretty extensive, but very doable if you have any kind of previous Kali training.
This was a strange post for me to read, because I was wondering if anyone had any similar experiences.

Hello all,
Paypal came through and claim has been decided in my favour. Still nothing from FCS Kali.

Interesting note in the paypal email advising me of the claim being settled

...Other Details
-----------------------------------
To make sure future transactions proceed smoothly, we suggest you visit the
PayPal site and click the Security Center link located at the bottom of any
page. There you will find tips on how to avoid fraudulent sellers in the
"Fraud Prevention Tips for Buyers" section.

Hello all,
arrived home yesterday (Oct 9) to find a package awaiting me. My dvds had turned up. Have emailed Guro Cole's email address as listed on the dvds to try and get the money resent as it appears I have been refunded in full. So far have managed to watch approx 2/3rds of the first dvd and it looks really good. Also am starting to feel a bit of a prat about the whole thing.

Happy to hear you got your DVD's. Now after watching them would you give us your thoughts on them.
I have a few questions on this whole idea of training videos:
1. You mentioned testing so are you saying that the FCS is now selling rank via video testing for rank? What is the cost of this "testing". Dose this bother anyone but me ( the whole idea of getting rank with out being in front of an instructor)
2. it seems that a few have had problems with getting their dvd's , or any correspondence from those in the FCS. Is this just a communication problem because only one or two people are in their sales area or is this a bigger problem ? Just asking as I have no dealings with them at this time.

I had spoken to Tuhon Ray about your situation at the Gathering, he had mentioned to me that oversea shipments were funky and thing get losted. I figured it got resolved. Apparently not, well at least you got the DVDs. I also found out that Ray Cole doesn't handle the DVD sales anymore. I'd recommend going to FCSKali.com and try to contact Tuhon Ray from there. Good luck. I hope you liked the DVDs.

I have a few questions on this whole idea of training videos:
1. You mentioned testing so are you saying that the FCS is now selling rank via video testing for rank? What is the cost of this "testing". Dose this bother anyone but me ( the whole idea of getting rank with out being in front of an instructor)

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Below is a direct quote from fcskali.com - This does not appear to me as if he is selling rank (well not any rank that would matter really)....just my personal opinion thou

fcskali.com said:

Many people who wanted to do long distance training have asked us to
develope this curricculum video series. Not everyone can come to florida to
train, or host a seminar. These videos have been a valuable tool in helping us spread the art. I've had several people come to The Gatherings having had only the videos for their instruction. I have been pleasd with the results. Of course there is no substitute for an actual FCS instructor, and you still have to have the basic skills needed in any martial art. The videos however, do an excellent job documenting and teaching the required materials.

For long distance training, the student musrt practice the material on the
videos alon with the basic skills. He can then test for each level with any
FCS instructor. If an FCS Instructor is not available. He must then send a
video of himself performing the required material for evaluation. This is
for level 1-4.

For level 5 through instructor level, the student must test at one of the
Gatherings(Clearwater, Tampa, or Puerto Rico).

My post above is based solely on what I read on the site. I am not an FCS guy. Please note that I have nothing to gain or loose from anything here. Just posting what can be found on the web by anyone. I mean no disrespect to Tuhon Ray or any member of FCS. After reviewing my own findings, I must retract my statement about "not selling rank". It appears you can video test your way to senior student.

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]The highest rank an individual can receive in the art of Filipino Combat Systems. A master of FCS Kali. There is no test for this rank. This rank must be earned through years of loyalty and dedication to the FCS Family. This individual must not only prove without a doubt, his skill in the art, but also his ability to lead FCS. This rank is given solely at my discretion.[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]GURO:[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]An FCS Guro is the equivalent to a 5th Degree Black Belt in other systems. There is no test for this rank. This rank can only be earned through years of dedication and loyalty to the FCS Family. This rank is given solely at my discretion. [/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]INSTRUCTOR:[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]The equivalent to a 1st Degree Black Belt in other systems. This rank can only be given at an FCS Family Gathering, and with the unanimous aprooval of all of the FCS Instrictors, Guros, and Lakans present at the Gathering.[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]LEVEL 5 PRACTITIONER:[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]The last of the primary rank levels in FCS. This rank would be equal to a red belt in ther systems.[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]LEVEL 4 PRACTITIONER:[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]The fourth of the primary rank levels in FCS. This rank would be equal to a brown belt in ther systems.[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]LEVEL 3 PRACTITIONER:[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]The third of the primary rank levels in FCS. This rank would be equal to a blue belt in ther systems.[/FONT][/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]LEVEL 2 PRACTITIONER:[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]The second of the 5 primary rank levels in FCS. This rank would be equal to a yellow belt in other systems.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]LEVEL 1 PRACTITIONER:[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]The starting point of an FCS practitioner. This rank would be equal to a white belt in other sytems.[/FONT][/FONT]​

It's so different from Modern Arnis, where Lakan is a 0th-degree/probationary black belt rank, and Guro is the title for an instructor of rank around Lakan or Lakan Isa (1st degree) or Lakan Dalawa (2nd degree),d epending on the org. For 5th degree a title like Punong Guro or Master might be used.

It's so different from Modern Arnis, where Lakan is a 0th-degree/probationary black belt rank, and Guro is the title for an instructor of rank around Lakan or Lakan Isa (1st degree) or Lakan Dalawa (2nd degree),d epending on the org. For 5th degree a title like Punong Guro or Master might be used.

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Lakan Isa or Lakan Dalawa isn't used for everyone of those ranks, its only used for male students. If the student is female, Dalyang Isa or Dayang Dalawa is used.

First, there is a pretty hefty amount of material covered in the first one (which is the only one I watched). If you were able to watch the video and learn all of that material, you would have a good foundation of the basics.
Personally, I had already been studying Kali for awhile and much of what I saw I was already doing. The video had a few variations, and a few new things, which enhanced what I was doing.

Second, you can't "test" simply by making a video of yourself doing the material. You need a training partner to do the hubud, tapping drills, and a few other things. In essence, you would be forming an FCS training group and studying the material.

Lastly, you don't go anywhere in the system until you start training with Tuhon Ray, either at the Gathering, or at his seminars. The videos are really just to compliment your training and remind you of what you are working on.

Now, with ALL of that being said, I STILL have not heard back from Tuhon Ray about the particulars of the "testing". I've pretty much written off doing anything with FCS Kali, which is a bummer, because it fit into the KDC curriculum nicely. Ah well.

Good thing we're training with Tuhon Gaje at Valley Forge, and Maryland.